Let’s face it, thinking of what to make for dinner, every night for a family, is the pits. I now understand this so truly, madly and deeply as I’ve been a full time caregiver to my parents. I’m finding it’s best to theme nights and days of the the week because, well, I think it helps me get by and it helps them too. Food has given us all something to look forward to — browsing recipes, planning the grocery list and cooking. No frill Friday’s no and no cook nights might be my favorite and, honestly, sometimes they also happen on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s — but who’s keeping track?

holiday, dinner, snacktina corradoAugust 10, 2025egg, egg salad, party platter

Pizza Rustica: A Savory Easter Meat Pie

Pizza Rustica translates to rustic pie. It’s a southern Italian savory Easter pie comprised of mixed cured meats and cheeses that are lovingly encased in buttery pie shell. If there’s anything that takes me back to the Easter Sunday’s of my past, it’s Pizza Rustica.

dinner, holiday, sidestina corradoApril 19, 2025pizza rustica, rustic pie, meat pie, meat, Easter

Pastiera di Grano

Pastiera di Grano is a traditional Neapolitan Italian pie that is served during Easter for dessert. It is creamy, light and bursting with citrus flavor — made with ricotta, soaked wheat berries, sugar, orange blossom water, orange zest, lemon zest and citron. Pastiera di Grano is encased in a buttery and flaky pastry shell, topped with a lattice crust and powdered sugar.

holiday, desserttina corradoApril 18, 2025pie, pastiera, grain pie, pastiera napoletana, EasterComment

Rosemary Dijon Marinade for Leg of Lamb

Easter calls preparing lamb and this simple marinade recipe will make your holiday roast sing of spring. Adapted from Ina Garten’s marinade for rack of lamb, this version has the addition of extra virgin olive oil. Rack of lamb typically has much more fat on the meat itself, so the extra addition of oil isn’t necessary. Leg of lamb is a leaner cut and could use a little more fat for cooking and flavor.

dinner, holidaytina corradoApril 17, 2025lamb, marinade, leg of lamb, Easter

Panettone French Toast

Eating Panettone during the Christmas season has been our family tradition for as long as I can remember. Now, I say “during the Christmas season” because as soon as my little eyes spy Italian fruit cake hanging from the ceiling of local pork stores or in big tree shaped displays at specialty markets - I am purchasing one, if not two, and enjoying Panettone as soon as the day after Thanksgiving. This enjoyment, God help my kissing thighs and womanly belly, extends all the way through the New Year. Why do I/we/my family enjoy Panettone for 2 whole months (plus)? Panettone is seasonal,

breakfast, brunch, holidaytina corradoJanuary 2, 2025french toast, panettone

Tina To Table